Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate!

I've just spent the last three weeks purposefully and mindlessly consuming chocolate.  The Easter bunny was very generous this year.  It got so bad that I sent my husband off to work this morning with a grocery bag full of it.  Because if it stayed in the house it would end up on my butt.

It turns out that I have chocolate opinions.  The best chocolate can be found at Rogers' Chocolates,  It's not cheap but it is delicious.  Their milk chocolate is the best.

Followed by Purdy's tied with Laura Secord,

 We usually get a lot of Purdy's at our house.  It's the go to chocolatier in these parts,  plus it's a fund raising staple at the kids schools.

I have a very vivid memory of watching my mother thinly slice a Laura Secord egg.  These are big, and so tasty.  This was a highlight of my childhood egg hunts.  You can't find Laura Secord chocolate as readily as Purdy's especially on the west coast.

And then if you want to spend less, Cadbury is an excellent option.

I believe that Cadbury rivals Purdy's.  Cadbury can usually be found in my mouth when I am stressed or am looking to calm down.

Surprisingly, it turns out that.I can't get enough of these kit kat miniatures.  Marn and I made a special trip to Target to look at their Easter wares and found these bad boys.  I'm really glad they aren't available in my neck of the woods.  They are like Ruffles sour cream and onion potato chips.  I stop eating them when the bag is empty.

And so ends my chocolate recommendations.   Easter is the chocolate culmination of a year of holidays (If your year starts in October.)  Now we are on a chocolate hiatus.  My next chocolate opinion piece will occur just before Halloween.

But I'll leave you with this adorable video the kids' grandmother sent me. Scottish accents SLAY me.

 

(For more of this adorableness head over to Mark Nelson's Facebook page)

Easter Fun

Here I sit on Tuesday morning, staring at some plum blossoms, marshaling my thoughts to tell you about my fabulous Easter long weekend. I've got the washing machine humming away in the background and I'm surreptitiously looking up ham bone soup recipes, while cleaning out my email and trying to get a jump on this week's adventures.

I love a holiday long weekend, especially one that has a special meal.  That usually means decorations, lots of great food, fun activities, traditions, and family.  The build up is exciting with all of it's prep and anticipation; the execution is fun although sometimes I forget to live in the moment and enjoy it; and then you are left with a 'clean slate' feeling as thoughts move towards the next big event (in my case Victoria Day long weekend).  I also derive an enormous amount of satisfaction putting things away.

I've inherited these fabulous over the top purple dishes from my grandmother.  They aren't really my style but I have a deep visceral connection to my grandmother through them and I feel enormous pleasure in being able to have a dish that comes out only for one occasion.  What a luxury.  Plus they class up the joint.

Maritime Rose - aren't they fabulous?!

They graced my table three times this weekend, my favourite was for an Easter breakfast.

We also decorated eggs.  I love decorating Easter eggs.  This year Marn and I found a cool gadget that lets you spin the die all over them.  I had my doubts but it actually worked. I use fake eggs from the dollar store - amazing -  and they are actually die-able. So no more waste, or trying to blow out the actual egg which was just torture.

My kids and I usually get together with my friend Cathy and her son to decorate eggs. We've been doing this for years.  But as the kids get older they don't seem to stay as long. They will decorate a couple of eggs and then are off playing while Cath and I sit at the table for hours experimenting and 'zenning' out with pretty colours.  I've learned that the die that comes from a decorating kit is glossier than plain old food die. And don't forget glitter- glitter is the proverbial icing on the cake, if you will.

We also took the grandparents out go-karting, as one does at Easter.  My oldest is obsessed with formula one racing right now and although not nearly old enough, can't wait to drive. This is when I wish we lived on a ranch or working farm.  Because then he could get behind the wheel much earlier, even if it were only a riding lawn mower.

Easter colour at the race track

And no Easter themed blog would be complete without mentioning food.  This weekend we ate. A. Lot.  I roasted a bone in ham this year.  I used a bastardized version of the Pioneer woman's ham glaze - it was delicious.  But I've decided I prefer a spiral ham.  Turns out when I was talking to Marnie, she won't serve anything but spiral ham.  I need to listen to that girl more often.  Sadly, some things you just have to learn for yourself.  Spiral hams are essentially pre-carved and it makes everything so much easier.  I don't really know how to carve a ham and I encountered uneven meat and gristle that was a pain to present.  The ham was delicious but not easy.  And really, it turns out I am all about easy.  Plus at $2 a pound how can you go wrong. (And that's Canadian.)

These hams are always wrapped in red, I wonder why?

I also used Ree Drummond's recipe for croissant french toast.  This is one of the best recipes on the planet; and is absolutely perfect for spring, and summer,  Something about a blackberry.

Don't these look good.  Stole this picture from Mann Farms.

The rich custardy egg mixture that bakes into the croissant is divine and when I serve it on my grandmother's plates, well now, that's just perfection!

Who's Ping?!

Every spring equinox I hang these 'welcome spring' signs on my kids' doors.

I found them at the dollar store, they make me smile and it's something bright and festive to herald the changing season.

This is what my youngest (he's seven) did with his sign:

Crazy nutbar!

Queen Ruby!

Queen Ruby came for a visit and excitement ensued!

Ruby is Marnie and Marnie's husband Dave's foster dog.  For the last 12 years they've looked after Ruby when her regular family is away.  Ruby is also Dave's other woman.  Ruby is adorable, entertaining, smart and sneaky.

Dave loves her with a passion. Ruby can do no wrong in his eyes.  Marnie isn't so blind.  But really, Ruby sets out to make Marnie's life stressful, so the devotion - not so much.

First off Ruby loves eating paper.  And she will find paper where there is no paper to be found.  She'll also sneak over and under gates, through mesh wire, unlatch doors and dig to satisfy her paper craving.  Marnie took Ruby for a walk and was horrified to see bits of chewed up check paper in Ruby's poop.  The worst part... Marnie's name was still legible on the paper!

Ruby's guilty face; caught in Marnie's studio where there is LOTS of paper

Ruby also hogs the bed.  It's Ruby's mission in life to make sure that Marnie has no room on their king size bed.

The dynamic duo after a long hard day

And this is not a big dog.  A precocious, attitude ridden dog yes, big no.  But you can't really blame Ruby.  She is treated like a princess.  Here's Dave drying her after a walk in the rain:

Such a mutual admiration society

This week's visit entailed much paper eating, some underwear chewing (this was new) and lots of Styrofoam ingesting. Marnie is still waiting for the ramifications to appear,  Really this week has boiled down to Marnie walking Ruby a lot so that Ruby can poop out everything she's eaten and Marnie can make sure it's all coming out.  Not fun.  Not fun at all.  But hilarious to hear about.  I love me a Ruby story.  The best comic relief ever!

A Golden Childhood

My fabulous friend and neighbor Karen took me to see Disney's Beauty and the Beast last night and I fell in love.  The whole movie was sumptuous and perfect.  Once I got home I stayed up late to find out everything I could about the movie, as one does when one falls in love.

Favorite moment: when Beast lifts Belle while they're dancing, Yum!

Today I was bound and determined to have more Disney magic, more of that sumptuousness; more of those incredible visuals and sweeping scores; more to die for production details, more, more, more.  So I blew off almost my entire to do list and rented Disney's Cinderella.  And I wasn't disappointed.  The details of the house, and the costumes, and the castle were superb!  I envy that so many talented and creative people got to work on such beautiful projects.  Can you imagine the energy?!

Mighty big heel for a slipper, but isn't it pretty?

This is a long winded backstory to get to my point.  At the end of Cinderella, while she was locked in the attic, she was twirling around and the narrator was describing how happy she was because she had these incredible memories of her parents, the prince and her golden childhood.

I love the expression "golden childhood".  That rang like a clarion bell for me.  My deepest admiration to whomever coined the term.

I had a golden childhood and I strive everyday to give my kids one too. Marnie had a golden childhood.  it's one of the things that bond us.  And she was able to foster this idea for every child she cared for in her 20 years as a nanny.   I believe a golden childhood is one where you get to be a child, where you are safe, where you are loved, where you have your own space, where you get to experience pleasurable things that inspire your adult likes and passions. Where people show you how to be kind, and silly, and enthusiastic.  Where people take the time to inquire about your interests and foster them.  It doesn't mean life was perfect as a kid, or that loss, sadness, betrayal or cruelty didn't enter the picture but rather as a child you had places and people and experiences that taught you joy.

So a giant thank you to all those who helped me create my golden childhood.  Thank you! Thank you!  The inspiration for my present is fueled by the fantastic memories created in my past. I am so lucky - so lucky - to have had all these golden moments and I look forward to creating many more.

Marnie's Mecca

I had the great good fortune to organize a trip to Disneyland for my family this winter.   It's one of Marnie's favourite places and Disney's influence and inspiration can be found throughout Marnie's life.  So being able to ask her for advice and bounce ideas off her was perfect.  Also it was fun to see what has her so jazzed.

The first night, we slipped over to the main gates to get our tickets.  The music they broadcast as you are walking towards the entrance is phenomenal and just adds to the excitement.

The next day we arrived just in time to meet with every other local Californian who wanted to come out and play after a month of rain.  There were a lot of people waiting for that rope to drop.

I've decided Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are the best time to visit.  The above photo was taken on a Sunday morning at the end of January.

Our favourite rides were Star Tours, most of the rides at Bugs Land and all the rides at Cars Land. We also had a wonderful experience learning how to draw Disney cartoons.  And don't get me started on the Ghirardelli chocolate ice cream sundaes or the chili and lime corn on the cob.

I stole this beautiful photo from  https://www.pinterest.com/lizangelmarie/disneyland-food-bucket-list

 The first ride we rode was Star Tours.  So. Fun.

This little guy greeted us as we got in line

This was C3PO setting up the story for the actual ride

And you can't have C3PO without R2D2

These were some of the photos I was allowed to take as you wait to get into the ride.  Disney does a great job of keeping you entertained while you wait.  And we didn't have to wait for much even with the crowds because of the fantastic "Fast Pass".  I cannot recommend enough that you take advantage of this concept.  You can save hours not having to wait in line with a fast pass.

The next area that left a lasting impression was Disney California's A Bugs Land.

This was a fantastic 4D show that had me jumping out of my seat

These were so much fun and way faster than expected

These lady bugs were exactly like the spinning tea cups

And finally my eldest son and I left our hearts in Cars Land.

When my oldest was around 3 I introduced him to the Disney Pixar movie Cars and he and I have developed quite a healthy admiration for all things Cars, one might even call it an obsession.  So to be able to walk right into the movie left us both wonderstruck.  WONDERSTRUCK!

Cars land shows best at dusk and into the night when all the neon is glowing

Flo's V-8 cafe is the place to have dinner and if your lucky you can dance with DJ.

My absolute favourite place in all the of the Disney California Parks

 They had fantastic milkshakes at Flo's!

Youngest dancing with DJ

In my family's humble opinion the best ride in the park, in both parks, was Radiator Springs racers. The racing part was not my favourite but the lead up was so great, the racing was worth it.

This was one of the fountains in the line up.  So great!

The attention to detail was incredible.  The Disney imagineers truly outdid themselves.  You just have to go!

This is part of the race track

I mean, come on!, isn't this incredible?!

And I spent countless digital photos trying to capture the incredible landscape that looks exactly like the movie.  But none of my photos were as good as the one above.  Sadly I did not take this picture. This and several others were stock photography that Marnie bought when she was at Disneyland. I know, right?!

I could write 10 posts about all the wonderful details found at Disneyland.  And maybe I will.  For right now I'll leave you with our highlights.  And a recommendation.  We walked around Disneyland for five days, probably six to seven hours a day. I wore Sketchers go walk flex slip on walking shoes. And my feet never hurt; never hurt at all.

These bad boys kept my feet comfortable, blister free, and sans aches

We had so much fun.  According to Marn they pipe magic in the Main Street air and I have to agree; she just might be right.  The people who work at Disneyland Parks and the people who run Disneyland Parks are pretty special.  Everyone was so helpful, and everywhere we turned there was some form of entertainment.  It was magical!  Oh I forgot to tell you about the Band.  I loved the Disney Marching Band.  Ah well, another post for another time...

The Annual Valentine Craft

It all started last year.  My youngest wanted homemade valentine's cards for his class.  He was very specific.  He wanted a cupcake card with a valentine theme.  I just looked at him because my brain does not function that way.  But do you know who's brain totally functions that way?  Marn's! So last year he got exactly what he wished for.  And you are in luck because I saved one of the prototypes so you can see how fantastic her execution of my son's vision was.

This year a request was placed for a heart with a cupid arrow and the tip of the arrow needed to be a chocolate heart. So off to Marnie's house I went...

In my totally illiterate way, using basic props, I tried to explain what I'd gleaned from my son's description.  And I loved Marnie's valentine stamp and wanted to incorporate it some how.

 Marnie noodled on the computer for a couple of minutes and then found a perfect design.

I took one look and wanted to leave,

Marnie has this machine that she programs to cut.  I sound remedial but I do not craft.  I watch.  In total amazement,  Marn got this thing to cut perfect hearts.

 Pretty cool.  "How many do you need?" she asked.  And as I stammered out "24" the silhouette machine whirred and away she went.

I knew this project was going to turn out well when I saw that look.  Marn's delight is so contagious. I have no idea what magic she was working but I knew it would be fantastic.  Plus she let me sit across from her with a camera and snap away.  So FUN!

Pure creative genius!

Once the hearts were all cut out, Marn made the fletching end of the arrow by hand.  Grabbed some scissors and this vicious looking mini exacto knife and went to town.

 At the end of the day, all that was left to do was assemble.  I took a break to go skiing with the family and shop for my eldest's bake sale project.  (that's an entire blog post in itself.)

 Finally, I sat down and got to work.  I have no grace when using my hands for fine detail work. I struggle mightily to get this tab to fit into that slot.  There was a lot of muttering, some words I'm afraid I can't repeat floated over this project and my eldest got chewed out for teasing his brother  - but really he was in the wrong place at the wrong time - I just needed to yell.

In the end the requisite number of valentine's day cards were assembled.  Turns out I only needed 18.  Don't tell Marn.

 All that was left to do was personalize them.  Marnie's talent strikes again.  My son and I are so, so grateful.